Speaker 1: Hello, my name is Joshua Brown from the interview training company howtobecome.com and in this presentation I will teach you how to pass your assistant professor interview. So if you have an assistant professor interview coming up for any institution then please make sure you watch this video from start to finish because I'm going to help you to stand out and succeed. To achieve that goal this is what I'll cover. I'll start off by giving you a list of the most current and common assistant professor interview questions that I strongly recommend you prepare for. I'll then provide you with example high-scoring answers to those questions to help you to succeed. Plus I'll also make sure to give you some essential tips for passing your assistant professor interview before finally telling you how you can instantly download these slides plus 27 quick and brilliant answers to assistant professor interview questions in a PDF guide. And just very quickly please don't forget to subscribe to my channel because I want to help you to pass your interview by giving you brilliant answers to the toughest assistant professor interview questions and I can only do that if you are subscribed. And please don't forget to hit that like button because this tells me you find these tutorials useful. Okay let's take a look at that opening interview question for your assistant professor interview and that is tell me about yourself. Now this is a brilliant opportunity to get your interview off to a flying start and impress the hiring manager or the interview panel. You can be the standout candidate by focusing your answer on the skills and qualities you have. Do not talk about your home life or your personal life unless it's relevant to the job role. Instead focus on your experience and your passion for working in the role as an assistant professor and how you're going to add value to their institution. A great way to do all of this is to make sure you study the job description and focus on telling the interview panel how your skills are a perfect match for those that they desire. So for example if on the job description it states they're seeking someone who is passionate about teaching with great communication abilities then throughout your assistant professor interview answers be sure to use those exact terms and back it up with examples of where you've previously demonstrated those skills. That job description really is your blueprint for success. So here is a top scoring answer that's going to make you the standout candidate. Tell me about yourself. Thank you for inviting me to be interviewed for this position today. I'm Joshua Brown a recent PhD graduate in environmental science from the University of California Berkeley where I specialized in climate change impact analysis. My thesis focused on the effects of rising temperatures on coastal ecosystems has been a significant part of my academic journey. I also hold a master's degree in marine biology from the University of Miami further solidifying my expertise. Throughout my academic career I actively engaged in teaching handling courses like Introduction to Environmental Science, Marine Ecosystem Dynamics and Climate Change and Policy and received positive feedback for my interactive and student-centric approach. This has deepened my commitment to academia. I am enthusiastic about joining Princeton University especially because of its cutting edge research facilities and its commitment to environmental sustainability. I see a great alignment between my skills in data analysis, field research and interdisciplinary teaching and the department's goals and I'm excited about the potential to contribute to both research and teaching here. Wow what a powerful way to kick-start your interview and be that standout candidate. Remember by giving a confident answer like this to the opening interview question not only will you impress the hiring manager but you'll also gain confidence in the rest of your answers to come. Okay let's take a look at the next assistant professor interview question which is why should we hire you as an assistant professor? Now you're being asked this interview question because they want to gauge your understanding of the role, your unique qualifications and how they align with the department's needs and goals. So make sure you focus on your unique blend of academic expertise, your teaching philosophy, research interests and how they contribute to the department's objectives and enrich the academic community. A great way again to do this is to take a look at that job description and really study it in detail. Also have a look at their website, their about us page and social media channels because there you'll be able to see their mission statement and their teaching philosophy. So here is a brilliant top scoring answer to help you. Why should we hire you as an assistant professor? I believe my unique blend of skills and experiences makes me a strong fit for this position. My academic background with a PhD has provided me with a deep understanding of the key subject areas which aligns well with your department's focus. Additionally my research work published in notable journals and conferences demonstrates my commitment to advancing knowledge in our field. My teaching experience has been marked by positive student feedback and innovative curriculum development reflecting my dedication to fostering a stimulating learning environment. I bring a collaborative spirit having worked successfully on interdisciplinary projects which I see as crucial in a dynamic academic setting like yours. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to your department's goals and growing as part of your academic community. Now don't go anywhere as I still have more interview questions and answers to give you but when you're ready and only if you want to, please click that link in the top right hand corner or in the pinned comment below. It will take you through to my website howtobecome.com where you can download my 27 assistant professor interview questions and answers for all institutions to give you the edge in your interview including the ones we're covering right now. Okay here is the next assistant professor interview question. How would you handle a difficult student? Now you're being asked this interview question because they want to gauge your conflict resolution skills and ability to maintain a positive productive learning environment so make sure you emphasize your communication skills, your patience and your strategies for engaging challenging students constructively while ensuring a respectful and inclusive classroom atmosphere. Here is a brilliant top scoring answer to help you. How would you handle a difficult student? Handling a difficult student requires empathy and clear boundaries. For instance in my previous teaching role I had a student who frequently interrupted lectures with off-topic questions. I first met with them privately to understand their perspective revealing they felt unheard in larger groups. By acknowledging their need to be engaged I directed them to more appropriate forums for their queries like office hours and established clearer guidelines for in-class discussions. This approach not only resolved the disruptions but also helped the student feel valued and heard. My aim is to always foster a respectful inclusive learning environment while maintaining classroom decorum. Okay here's the next assistant professor interview question. Would you be willing to teach courses not in your comfort zone? Now you're being asked this question because it's designed to evaluate your flexibility, your adaptability and your willingness to contribute to a diverse academic program. Now you must express your openness to new challenges and your commitment to professional growth while also emphasizing your ability to effectively research and prepare for subjects outside your primary area of expertise. So here is a great top scoring answer to help you. Would you be willing to teach courses not in your comfort zone? Absolutely I'm open to teaching courses outside my immediate area of expertise. I view it as a valuable opportunity for professional growth and a chance to provide a broader educational experience to students. My academic journey has always been about exploring and understanding new concepts which aligns with the ethos of an assistant professor. While my primary focus remains in biomedical science I believe that stepping into new territories can foster a more integrative and interdisciplinary approach to learning and teaching. Moreover preparing for and teaching these courses would enable me to stay abreast of developments in related fields, enriching my own research and pedagogical methods. Of course to ensure I deliver the highest quality of education I would dedicate time to thoroughly understanding and preparing for these courses, possibly collaborating with colleagues who specialize in those areas for guidance and insights. Okay this next question is a really really good one. It's one that is very common in nearly every assistant professor interview and that is how would you describe your teaching style? Now this question's being asked to gauge how well your teaching approach aligns with the institution's educational philosophy and the needs of its students. It goes without saying that you need to articulate your teaching style clearly providing examples of how it engages students and fosters a positive learning environment and if possible align it with the known values or teaching methods of the institution. Again take a look at that job description and their website, their about us page. They really are your blueprint for success. Here is a brilliant top scoring answer to help you. How would you describe your teaching style? My teaching style is student-centered and focuses on fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. I believe in blending traditional lecturing with active learning methods such as group discussions, case studies and problem solving exercises to cater to diverse learning styles. I strive to make my classes engaging and relevant, often incorporating real world examples and current research to connect theory with practice. Accessibility and approachability are key. I encourage open communication and provide regular feedback to support students' academic growth. Furthermore, I continuously seek feedback from students to refine my teaching methods. This adaptive approach not only helps students grasp complex concepts but also nurtures critical thinking, creativity and a lifelong love for learning. So the next thing to do if you want to get the full list of 27 assistant professor interview questions and if you want to accelerate your learning even further to pass your interview at the first attempt is to click that link right now in the top right hand corner of this video for two reasons. The first reason is it will take you through to my website howtobecome.com where you can get all of these answers we just covered plus a total of 27 brilliant responses to assistant professor interview questions and secondly the next reason is I've given you three smart questions to ask at the end of your interview on that page. It's a brilliant resource guaranteed to help you prepare effectively for your assistant professor interview and also more importantly put you ahead of the competition. Make sure you check out that link. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. Please don't forget to subscribe as I'm on a mission to help as many people as possible pass their job interviews and I can only do that if you are subscribed. Please also hit that like button as that encourages me to make more videos just like these. If you have any questions regarding any specific interview or institution do let me know in the comment section below where I'll get back to you with even more interview tips and advice and finally don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn. I've put my LinkedIn link in the description below. It's always great to connect with like-minded professionals such as yourself. Thank you so much for watching. I wish you all the best with your interview. Have a brilliant day.